Coleraine Library officially named a Death Positive Library

Death Positive Libraries offer a range of books around death, dying, and bereavement and Coleraine became the latest branch of Libraries NI to participate in this scheme during Dying Matters Week.

Dying Matters Week, is a national campaign, led by Hospice UK. It aims to break down the stigma surrounding death and help people feel more confident to talk about dying, grief, and bereavement.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust wanted to highlight that support is available to help start these conversations.

The Trust worked alongside Compassionate Communities NI and Libraries NI to encourage people to have open and honest conversations about death, dying, and end of life care.

Sharon Williams, Project Manager at Compassionate Communities NI, said: "We know that talking about death doesn't make it happen sooner, but it does make it easier to deal with when the time comes.

"We are providing resources for Coleraine Library, to help people in our community start those difficult but essential conversations.

" There are now 15 Death Positive Libraries in Northern Ireland. Our ambition is that every library, and therefore every community, has access to these important resources."

Alongside the library resources, the Northern Trust has also helped develop some new booklets designed to support people to manage the challenges around death. The resources focus on children and young people, adults with learning disabilities, and those preparing for the death of a loved one.

For further information about bereavement support in the Northern Trust go to www.northerntrust.hscni.net/services/bereavement-services/